"And that's the reason of Mrs. Mallett's sudden flight--if you call it so; is it, doctor?" asked Hawthwaite, who had been listening intently. "That's the reason--yes," replied Wellesley. "What's she going to do?" inquired Hawthwaite. "Divorce?" "She said something about a legal separation," answered Wellesley. "I suppose it will come to the other thing." "And how do you think this is related to Wallingford's murder?" asked Hawthwaite with sudden directness. "Let's be plain, doctor--do you suspect Mallett?" Wellesley showed signs of indecision. "I don't like to say that I do," he replied at last. "And yet, I don't know. I've rather wondered if there'd been any meeting between Mallett and Wallingford after Wallingford knew about this: I believe they did meet, on business, during the day. Now, to tell you the truth, Wallingford was much more--shall we say upset?--about this affair than I was: he was very much gone on Mrs. Saumarez. It's struck me that he may have threatened Mallett with exposure; and exposure, of course, would mean a great deal to a man in Mallett's position--a bank-manager, and Town Trustee, and so on. And----But I really don't know what to think." "There's a thing I'd like to know," said Brent. "What do you think about the woman in the case? You've had chances of knowing her." Wellesley gave his questioner a searching look. "I would rather not say, Mr. Brent," he replied. "Discoveries of this sort, substantiated, are--well, disconcerting. Besides, they tend to a revision of opinion; they're sidelights--unfortunate ones." "Look here," said Brent, "were you greatly surprised?" "Well, looking back," responded Wellesley thoughtfully, "perhaps not greatly. I think she's a bit of a mystery." Brent turned to Hawthwaite. Hawthwaite, however, looked at the doctor. "Well, doctor," he said, "I think you've done right to tell this. There's something in the suggestion that there may have been a fatal quarrel between Mallett and Wallingford. But I don't want to go into this at present--I'm full up otherwise. Leave it until this Local Government Board inspection is over." "Why until then?" asked Wellesley. "Why, because, for anything we know to the contrary, something may come out at that which will dovetail into this," replied Hawthwaite. "The Inspector is coming down at once--we'll leave this over till he's been. Look here, has Mrs. Mallett let this out to anybody but you?" "No, I'm sure of that," answered Wellesley. "It's been known in the town for some time--common knowledge--that she and Mallett weren't on good terms, but she assured me just before leaving that she hasn't mentioned the episodes I've detailed to any other person here than myself. And, of course, Wallingford." "And he's gone, poor fellow!" said Hawthwaite. "And Mr. Brent and myself'll be secret as the grave he lies in! All right, doctor--just leave it to me." When Wellesley had gone away, Hawthwaite turned to Brent.